JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Ray from Vernon

Mighty O, it seems we fans too often see getting the first few picks in the draft as a must. Well, how does that stack up when we've had numerous Top 5 picks? Where has that gotten us? Does it really matter in reality what pick we get within the top 10? College stars don't always become NFL stars, correct? Happy New Year! I just hope when the dust clears, we can get back to winning. Thanks for the daily read!!

You raise your chances of selecting a good-to-premium player selecting early. That logic in this case is correct. It's also true that we as collective group of NFL followers have leaned too heavily on the idea of specific draft selections as quick-fix end-alls – and specifically, believing that such selections must come in the Top 10. Remember: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is the best Jaguars draft selection in recent memory and the team traded back – twice – to select him at No. 23 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This is not to say draft position isn't important. But you generally can find good, Pro Bowl-level players throughout the first round. The key is being able to correctly project players all over the first round and beyond – and having a structure in which those players can excel.

Steve from Sunroom Couch

Dear John, "This NFL truism is almost as old as the NFL itself, and there may be no truism … well, truer." The truth is the fans have been right more times than this organization's front office. But hey … they're the professionals, right?

I have received many, many, many versions of this email through the years. And when a team loses as much as the Jaguars have lost, fans have a right to this opinion. That doesn't change the truism. Not only can't a team run its organization based on fan sentiment, it would be impossible to do so. There are simply too many fan opinions to do this. Should each draft selection be made after an online poll? Should teams gather fans outside the team facility during free agency? Should coaches be hired and fired based on the same process? I'm not trying to make the case that fans are always wrong. But following their collective will not only isn't a recipe for success, it isn't even possible.

Anita from Springfield

Can we keep special teams coordinator Heath Farwell? From the eye test I KNEW the special teams were good, but watching the Pro Bowl reveal I was kind of surprised we were at No. 2 in efficiency despite our bad overall play. At the very least, one for Farwell and all the other guys on special teams that bring their A-Game every week.

One fer Farwell. And stay tuned.

Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville

Kudos to Ross and Logan for being selected to the Pro Bowl. Along with rookie kicker Cam Little, the Jaguars have a tremendous kicking trio.

Punter Logan Cooke and long snapper Ross Matiscik indeed made the Pro Bowl this season. They were deserved honors for deserving players, and the Jaguars indeed have one of the best special-teams trios in the NFL thanks to the addition this season of Little. It's a good bunch. One fer 'em.

Colin from Sanford

Hey, John. I'm trying to find reasons to get excited for the Jaguars' final game this Sunday. Are there any records that BTJ is close to breaking that I could watch for?

Not really. Thomas already holds the Jaguars' single-season rookie records for receptions, yards receiving and touchdowns receiving. Here's what to do regarding Thomas Sunday in the 2024 regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts: Watch, enjoy and look forward to the future. The kid is special. He's already good. He's going to improve rapidly. He's going to be really fun to watch. Watch him play Sunday and feel good about it.

Jeff from Orange, CA

How do the Jaguars "focus" more on the draft than in past years? They draft players every year and I do not think they've traded away picks for many players and if anything have done the opposite a decent amount. If the players drafted were better, they'd be playing, irrespective of free agent strategy - would you agree or disagree? Saying to focus more on the draft sounds to me almost like they're going to "try harder" and get better results.

I indeed did write recently that the Jaguars should focus more on the draft moving forward – or something to that effect anyway. You're correct that they already work hard at the draft. They take the draft seriously. It is considered the foundation of the franchise – as must be the case. What I meant in saying they should focus on the draft more was that they should emphasize it more in the overall roster-building strategy. More specially, they should dramatically reduce the emphasis on free agency. Bringing in players other teams don't want is a sure way to get older – and to get more players teams don't want. You can't avoid free agency entirely. You can lean further from it than the Jaguars have done recently.

Brian F. Originally from San Diego

Can we get philosophical? According to you, Sherpa for your loyal readers, is this a true statement: it's the hope that kills you. I'm not a disciple of such an argument. In the context of sport in general, and I know this might sound strange, but I believe it's the hope that keeps us coming back before too long.

Yep.

Kevin H from Section 214

I know it isn't a Jaguar complaint or question but if the Peach Bowl taught me anything, it is that college football has far superior overtime rules.

One fer personal preference, I suppose. I prefer the NFL's overtime rule, because it seems from this view that the NFL rules perhaps reward good defense a bit more. I personally liked the NFL's original sudden-death rule, though I was in the minority. I still don't know why all teams have to be assured of a possession. It's OK to play defense.

James from Titusville, NJ

I'm pretty sure you mean "Spidey Sense" and not "Scooby Sense." Urban dictionary defines Scooby Sense as the paranormal ability gained after watching too much Scooby Doo, which allows the afflicted to tell exactly (every time) who dun it in any Scooby Doo episode within minutes of it starting. But after all, it's your column, so you make the rules. Damn right.

I am the king of all funk,

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

Perhaps I am misunderstood, Mister O. I have never called Jaguars Owner Shad Khan cheap. I may not have insinuated adequately when writing my verse. I am just stating that regardless of how well the Jaguars have performed, their worth continues to climb exponentially. Long live profit!

Such is the danger of communicating via verse: It can be misunderstood and often not all that well-received. And then some verse doesn't even rhyme. Probably the best way to communicate in that sense is a limerick. As for the value of the Jaguars … yes, it has risen substantially since Shad Khan purchased the team. NFL teams rise in value. That's just how it is.

Nathan from Utah, US

Zone, I admit that the feeling was lost on me. As I ready to watch the final, somewhat exciting, non-playoff implicating game at the end of a disappointing, difficult, somewhat meaningless season. I like best Coach D's first two seasons. Setbacks will happen. How the Jaguars' organization responds in 2025 with success. Go Jags!!!

OK, I think. I guess.

Ed from Jax by Lionel Playworld

Let's assume that we will need to hire a new general manager and head coach this offseason. A slow approach could disadvantage us against other teams for hot candidates. Having gone through job searches, myself, I usually accepted the first offer (having withdrawn from misfit jobs after an interview). Are ambitious candidates waiting around for that perfect job, or do they typically take the first decent offer? How do you think a hypothetical search for head coach and general manager would go this offseason (assuming we're hiring for both)? Can fans just assume now that we won't hire a hot candidate?

The NFL regular season ends Sunday night. Any hypothetical search that begins immediately after that isn't behind. Assume nothing.

Steve from Hilton Head, SC

John, it seems like getting a new coach and GM is a little like voting a new politician in simply because you don't like the other candidate. Theres no guarantee that the new regime will be any better, and there's a good chance it might be worse. The two men here had stellar resumes prior to coming to the Jags. Then, something broke after a good start.

This is the NFL, which is real life. At least sort of. If you want guarantees, watch scripted television.